The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-31
INGEasoLL ON SOCIALISM.
Ii Is Tho worst fosstbIe Form OF
slavery aud should Pail.

lNOrln american hoNioWsl
Some OF the best and purest OF our
race have advocated what is known
as socialism. They have not only
taught, but, what is more TO the pur-
pose, have believed that q nation
should BE- q family; that the Govern
ment should take care OF all its chill
dren; that il should provide work
and food and clothes aud education
for all, and that it should divide the
results Of all labor equitably with
all.
Seeing the inequalities among men,
knowing OF the destitution and
crime, these men were willing 10 sac
rifce not only their own liberties,
but the liberties OF all.
Socialism seems to be one OF the
worst possible forms Of slaveyr.
Nothing, in my judgment, would SO
utterly paralyze all the forces, all the
splendid ambitions and aspirations
that now tend 10 the civilization Of
man. In ordinary systems OF slavery
there are some masters, q few are
supposed to be free, but in socialis-
tic state all would be slaves.
III tho government is TO provide
work, il must decide for the worker
what he must do. IL must say who
shall chisel statues, who shall paint
pictures, who shall compose music,
and who shall practice the PROBES
sions. Is any government, or can
any government be, capable Of intel
ligently performing these countless
duties2 IL must not only control
work, il must not only decide what
each shall do, but it must control
expenses, because expenses bear q
direct relation TO products. There
fore, the government must decide
what the worker shall eat, and
wherewithal he shall be clothed,
the kind Of house in which he shall
live; the manner in which il shall
be furnished, and, II this govern.
ment furnishes the work, IL must
decide on the days aud hours OF
leisure. More than this, il must
FIX values, 1t must decide not only
who shall sell, but who shall buy.
and the Price that must DO paid
and il must fix this value not simply
upon the labor, but upon everything
that can be produced, that can be
exchanged or sold.
Is il possible 10 conceive OF a
despotism beyond this2 The present
condition OF the world is bad enough,
with its poverty and ignorance, but
IL is far better than il could by any
possibility be under any government
like the Que described. There would
be lees hunger Of the body, but not
Of the mind. Each man would
simply be citizen OF a large peni-
Tertiary, and, as in every veil fegu-
dated nrr:.son, somebody would decide
what each shouli do. The inmates
Of prison retire early; they rise
with the sun; they have something
10 eat; they are not dissipated; they
have clothes; they attend divine
service; they have but little TO say
about their ncighbors; they do not
suffer from cold their habits are OF =.
cellent; aud yet no one enyies their
condition. Socialism destroys the
family. The children belong 10 the
State. Certain officers take the place
Of parents individuality is lost.
The human race cai not afford 10
exchange lis liberty for any possible
comfort. You remember the old IA.
bic Of the fat dog that met the lean
wolf 10 the forest. Tho wolf, aston.
ished 10 see NO prosperous an animal
inquired CT the dog where he got his
iosd, and the dog told him that thcr,
was q man who took care Of him
gave him his breakfast, his dinnel
and his supper with the utmost reg
ularity, aud that he had all that h,
could eat and very little TO do, Tn,
wolf said: DO you think this maj
would treat me as he does your
The dog replied: ayes, come alon
With me" SO they logged on TO
sether toward the dogs home. u
the way the wolf happened TO motto
that some hair was worn of the dog
neck, and he said: How did th
hair become worm" That IL,
said the dog, "the mark OF my col
lar; my master ties me at night.
"Oh" said the wolf, ARE 20
chainedp are you deprived OF you
liber,yl believe will 20 back;
prefer hunger"
II is impossible for any man wit
good heart to be satisfied with III
world as IL now il. No one can tru
enjoy even what he carns-whAt h
knows TO be his own-kuowiug tn
millions Of his fellow. men are
misery and want. When we thin
OF the iamished we feel that il
almost heartless 10 eat. To meet Il
ragged and shiyoring makes OF
almost ashamed 10 be well dress,
and warm-onc feels az though h
heart was as cold as their bodies.
L. world filled with millions at
millions OF acres OF land waiting
be titled, where one man can raj
the food for scores, millions are
the edge OF famine, Who can col
prehend tbs stupidity at the bottC
OF TINS tIuNhl
Is there 10 DO no changer A
"the laws OF supply aud demand
invention and science, monopoly a
competition, capital and legislatu
always 10 be the enemies Of the
who toil2
viii the workers always be ign,
ant enough and stupid enough 10 81
their earnings for the usolcssi W
they support millions Of soldiers
kill the sons Of the workingma
Will they always build temples
ghosts and phantoms and live IN hi
and deps themselyes2 Will ii
forever allow parasites and CROW
and vampires with miiros 10 live 4
ON their blood2 Will they RENT
The slaves Of the beggars they ~
nort9 How long will thov be 90